Posted on 08/16/2017 6:10:46 AM PDT by csvset
ACLU fires back at Gov. McAuliffe after comments on violence at Charlottesville rally
Posted 9:35 pm, August 14, 2017, by Vernon Freeman Jr., Updated at 11:25PM, August 14, 2017 ACLU fires back at Gov. McAuliffe after comments on violence at Charlottesville rally
RICHMOND, Va. -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia is responding to Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe after they say he blamed the organization for the violence in Charlottesville Saturday.
The remarks in question came when the governor spoke on NPR’s Morning Edition on Monday morning.
“The City of Charlottesville asked for that to be moved out of downtown Charlottesville to a park about a mile and a half away to a park with a lot of open fields. That was the place where it should have been,” McAuliffe said. “We were unfortunately sued by the ACLU. The judge ruled against us. That rally should not have been in the middle of downtown.”
ACLU of Virginia Executive Director Claire Guthrie Gastanaga said in no way was their lawsuit cause the violence Saturday afternoon.
“We are horrified by the violence that took place in Charlottesville on Saturday and the tragic loss of life that resulted from it,” said Gastanaga.
“But let’s be clear: our lawsuit challenging the city to act constitutionally did not cause violence nor did it in any way address the question whether demonstrators could carry sticks or other weapons at the events.”
Gastanaga said the role of the ACLU is to ensure that the system works the same for everyone.
“We asked the city to adhere to the U.S. Constitution and ensure people’s safety at the protest. It failed to do so,” she wrote.
Gastanaga said that it is the responsibility of law enforcement to ensure safety of both protesters and counter-protesters. She went on to say that policing on Saturday was not effective in preventing violence.
“I was there and brought concerns directly to the secretary of public safety and the head of the Virginia State Police about the way that the barricades in the park limiting access by the arriving demonstrators and the lack of any physical separation of the protesters and counter-protesters on the street were contributing to the potential of violence,” said Gastanaga. “They did not respond. In fact, law enforcement was standing passively by, seeming to be waiting for violence to take place, so that they would have grounds to declare an emergency, declare an ‘unlawful assembly’ and clear the area.”
ACLU of Virginia said they hope that McAuliffe and other state and local officials will learn from last weekend’s deadly event.
“It is my firm hope and desire that the governor and other state and local officials will learn from this past weekend how constitutionally to prevent events like the horror we saw in Charlottesville from ever happening again,” Gastanaga wrote.
Yeah, maybe another senate hearing with Trey Gowdy leading the charge. /s
The order for police to "stand down" by someone in authority.
Perhaps this was Gov. McAuliffe having a "hissey-fit" because the Governor didn't get his way!
Oh please...don’t bring ‘fake-trey’ back into a fury of activity.
Didn’t the ACLU get the script for this episode? Why bother Gov Mac?
Those who ordered the police to stand down need to be exposed and charged themselves. The Virginia ACLU has, apparently, slipped the leash and is committing truth.
I’m not buying two left-wing radicals “arguing” like this. It’s a staged and pre-determined script.
Well, Well, Well
Hey MSM what about all of THIS? Why don’t you try investigating and accurately reporting rather than pontificating about how morally superior you claim to be?
“We asked the city to adhere to the U.S. Constitution and ensure people’s safety at the protest. It failed to do so,” she wrote.
Gastanaga said that it is the responsibility of law enforcement to ensure safety of both protesters and counter-protesters. She went on to say that policing on Saturday was not effective in preventing violence.
“I was there and brought concerns directly to the secretary of public safety and the head of the Virginia State Police about the way that the barricades in the park limiting access by the arriving demonstrators and the lack of any physical separation of the protesters and counter-protesters on the street were contributing to the potential of violence,” said Gastanaga. “They did not respond. In fact, law enforcement was standing passively by, seeming to be waiting for violence to take place, so that they would have grounds to declare an emergency, declare an ‘unlawful assembly’ and clear the area.”
VSP*: Not Outgunned... Despite McAuliffe Claim: “We Were Given Stand Down Order”
Washington Free Beacon ^ | August 14, 2017 4:05 pm | Stephen Gutowski
Posted on 8/15/2017, 6:56:18 PM by HokieMom
Virginia State Police Say They Were Not Outgunned in Charlottesville Riot Despite McAuliffe Claim
VSP defend their role in policing white supremacists and Antifa during violence!
Virginia State Police Call Out Governor McAuliffe’s Lie: We Were Not “Outgunned” — We Were Given A Stand-Down Order!
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3577528/posts
*Virginia State Police
The left wing mayor and his asst mayor and the left wing governor of Virginia endangered the lives of everyone there in a Deep State plot/attempt to embarrass President Trump. Then, they lied about their orders to the police at all levels to stand down and endanger people at their show.
It’s a good test for the AG and the new FBI director. Give them something to do.
Trey who?
Sorry, but his guy has amounted to one big nothing burger!
A disappointment like so many others..
Not sure where a solid conservative turns these days, other than freerepublic???
The left wing mayor and his asst mayor and the left wing governor of Virginia endangered the lives of everyone there in a Deep State plot/attempt to embarrass President Trump. Then, they lied about their orders to the police at all levels to stand down and endanger people at their show.
Absolutely spot on. Where is the outrage from the enemedia over this? Gee, it’s like they wanted this to happen.
Yes, they did. This has been brewing for some time. The unreported or pooh poohed attacks on Trump supporters. Yes, they WANTED this to happen. It bears repeating.
Hearings,Hearings,we need lots and lots of hearings!
Speaking of staged, I'd like to know who paid Dr. Duke to show up.
The ACLU is asking Democrat politicians to give up their leverage to control the narrative and cover for the violent BLM crowd. They are not going to do that.
Who is this Trey you speak of? /s
We need incontrovertible proof that the alt-Left attackers of the permitted rally were Soros backed. And Soros himself needs to have an “accident”.
Just like all the guns are killing every one!!
Hey ACLU, how does it feel to be blamed for something so stupid by idiots trying to pass their buck?
HA HA
IT TOOK THE ACLU ALMOST 5 DAYS TO RESPOND TO THIS! I WANT ANSWERS AND I WANT THEM NOW! WHY ARE THEY CARRYING WATER FOR DONALD TRUMP BY QUESTIONING THE KKK... er... LEADERSHIP OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA!!!
snarky...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.